New. Need Help. Questions.

[Boscoe]

And the last few to get the clarification my lil' brain needs (HA):

I stop paying the cc's today (I am already behind on a few anyway - LOL) I can go ahead and look for a lawyer soon?

How about those annoying calls and threats by mail I will be receiving? Do I just ignore them? I mean if it's from now til I find me a good lawyer, what do I do if I haven't filed yet. Is there anything I should utterly be afraid of?

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Retain an attorney as soon as you can. Pay them a nominal retainer ($500 or less, you might be able to negotiate). At that time, refer any and all collection calls to your attorney. And you probably should just let the answering machine pick up and screen all calls until you file.

[rrockinggramma]

ok, let me add my 2 cents. LOL First, file together. It is just easier in the long run and saves the other one discovering should have done joint in the first place. Illiniois has state exemptions. You should talk to an attorney to see if the vehicles you own outright can be exempted. Your spouses 401 K is exempt as long as you don't pull out the money. As to buying a house in the future, in 2 years after discharge with good credit since the BK, you can get an FHA loan. You might need more in downpayment etc but it can be done.Besides with all your debt discharged (both of you) you both have a better chance towards saving up that down payment. So stop paying on the cards. Pay only the essentials, rent, utilities, insurance etc and get both of you to a lawyer in your area and lay all the cards on the table and go from there. Good luck

[lrprn]

I stop paying the cc's today (I am already behind on a few anyway - LOL) I can go ahead and look for a lawyer soon?

Start looking for a lawyer NOW! Make appointments with 3-4 experienced bankruptcy lawyers in your area - most give free initial consults.

Here's what you should start pulling together to meet with the lawyers - http://kennethbrock.blogspot.com/200...-attorney.html and http://bankruptcy.lawyers.com/Prepar...cy-Lawyer.html

And here's what you should ask each one you meet with - http://bankruptcy.lawyers.com/Meetin...cy-Lawyer.html

How about those annoying calls and threats by mail I will be receiving? Do I just ignore them? I mean if it's from now til I find me a good lawyer, what do I do if I haven't filed yet. Is there anything I should utterly be afraid of?

Best approach is to get caller ID and an answering machine.

Let caller ID identify the caller. If it's a number/name you don't recognize or says "Private Caller", it's probably a creditor. Don't answer - let them leave a message on the machine. You DO NOT have to talk to creditors or collectors.

Put a message on the answering machine that identifies you by name. Creditors and collectors are restricted by law that allows them to only contact others if they can't find you (although some collectors will break this law).

If the ringing starts getting to you, then turn off the ringer for awhile or put it under a pillow to mute the rings.

We've all gone through creditor/collector harrassment before filing - it's surviveable. Just don't listen to anything they say on the phone or the answering machine. They are trained to do whatever they can to get you to pay up. All you have to do is wait them out until you file. Then by law, they MUST stop calling.

[CindyLou]

Next question, if I have a fairly new cc w/ a zero balance (aside from the tucked away emergency credit card also with a zero balance

What company is this card with? maybe we can share our experiences with some card surviving bk's